Prospects Good for Israel-soviet Trade, Israel Envoy Says

June 23, 1952

TEL AVIV (Jun. 22)

Good prospects exist for Israel-Russia trade relations, the Israel Minister to the Soviet Union, Shmuel Elyashov, said here yesterday, addressing the Commercial and Industrial Club. The Israeli diplomat is here on a visit.

Mr. Elyashov pointed out that Israel’s exports of citrus products and bananas to the Soviet Union had proven very successful and that the Russians are prepared to increase the importation of these products. He said that there has been no change in political relations between Russia and Israel during the past year, adding that Russia’s attitude towards the problems affecting Israel is not colored by any hostility to the Jewish State.

Although the Soviet Government has made no reply to an Israel note on the question of Jewish emigration from Russia to Israel, Mr. Elyashov said that this question should not be regarded as closed.